ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala,Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh with purchase of over 281.28 LMTs of paddy upto15.11.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 233.89 LMT showing an increase of 20.25 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 281.28 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 196.13 LMT which is 69.73 % of total procurement.
About 24.14 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 53105.70 crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme. Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto15.11.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured58623.22 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs.315.78Crores benefitting34149 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan as against the last year corresponding purchase of33976.48MT which is an increase of 72.54%for pulses and oilseeds.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Naduupto15.11.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Till 15.11.2020 a quantity of 1465847 cotton bales valuing Rs.4187.05 Crore has been procured benefitting 286547 farmers.
Ministry of Finance
More than 12 lakh loans extended in rural areas across the country between April, 2020 and November, 2022
As per the data provided by Public Sector Banks, more than 12 lakh loans have been extended in rural areas across the country, after the Covid period i.e. from April, 2020 to November, 2022. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
The Minister also stated that setting up of industries is a State subject. However, the Minister further stated that banks provide credit to youths for setting up industries across the country including rural areas. As per RBI circular dated 9th April, 2010, all credit related matters of banks, including charging rate of interest , have been deregulated and are governed by the bank’s own lending policies, considering relevant factors such as cost of funds, margin, risk premium etc. within the extant regulatory guidelines, the Minister stated.
The state-wise details are ANNEXURED.
AYUSH
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal announces major healthcare boost for Mizoram; lays foundation stones for Six Ayush Hospitals
Ayush Minister inaugurates 24 Health & Wellness Centres in Mizoram
The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal announced a slew of measures to boost the AYUSH sector in Mizoram. The Minister, along with the Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga, laid the foundation stones for six Ayush hospitals in Mizoram. In a further boost to healthcare infrastructure in the hill state of the Northeast, as many as 24 Ayush Health & Wellness Centres  were inaugurated across Mizoram at the event held here today.
The three 50 bedded hospitals will be developed at Aizawl, Champai and Hnahthial in the state. The three 10 bedded hospitals will be developed at Khawzawl, Saitul and Hortoki in the state. The Union Minister while highlighting the importance of traditional Indian medicine spoke about the role the folk medicine of Northeast can play in palliative, preventive, curative patient care along with the modern healthcare.
The Union Minister underlined the importance of unlocking value from the rich traditional medicinal practice of India, including the folk medicines of Mizoram and the Northeast. Speaking about the role of Ayush can play in patient care management, Shri Sonowal further said that the rich heritage of traditional medicines as envisaged by Ayush is scientifically proven to be effective in patient care. The holistic approach to patient care & healthy lifestyle includes both preventive as well as curative aspects. He said that the in order to learn & leverage the folk medicine, the AYUSH ministry is conducting a multi centric research project to critically appraise and validate Local Health Traditions , Oral health Traditions  and Ethno Medicinal Practices  among ethnic communities of the Northeast.”
Speaking about the role of Mizoram & Northeast in India’s new age of economic growth, the Union Minister said, “Through ACT East Policy, the PM has envisaged the Northeast to be the most important region of India that will power the New Engine of growth. The Asta Lakshmi of Northeast can be realised fully when Mizoram - along with all other Northeastern states - become Atma Nirbhar by enhancing our wisdom, work in cooperation & partnership, develop our abilities to compete at the global level.”
Special Service and Features
TAMIL NADU ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION
In order to stop electrical accidents and loss of human lives, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission has notified new provisions in the Tamil Nadu Electricity Distribution Code, mandating installation of RCD  in all electricity service connections.
Salient Features:
- In all installation of both single phase and three phase connections of House, Shops, Industries, Hospitals, Parks, Street lights, Temples, Schools, Colleges etc., and temporary service connections, a life saving device called Residual Current Device  with rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 milliampere must be installed to avoid electrical shock and protect life of the human beings.
- Similarly in installation of larger electrical loads exceeding 10 KW like big shops, malls, hospitals, godowns, large scale industries, a common RCD at the point of commencement of supply with rated residual operating current of 300 milliampere must be installed for avoiding fire accidents and protection of properties.
- To avoid nuisance tripping in installations of larger loads, the electrical circuits should be sub-divided according to loads / segregation of floors or building portions as per the site conditions and an independent RCD shall be provided for each sub divided circuit, so that the people in each portion of the building shall be protected from electrical shock, in case of electrical faults in that particular portion of the building.
- Applicants seeking new service connections must install the life saving RCD in their installation and declare to the effect in the application itself. No service connection shall be effected, unless an RCD is installed and safety to the inmates is ensured.
- Intention of this Commission is to stop the electrical accidents and loss of life. This mandatory provision shall be propagated to the general public and younger generation to spread the awareness on electrical safety and prompt implementation, according to a press release issued by the Secretary, Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Ministry of Tourism
Launch of ‘MICE Roadshow - Meet in India' and inauguration of Chhatrasal Convention Centre at Khajuraho tomorrow
Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture  and Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh will inaugurate the ‘Chhatrasal Convention Centre at Khajuraho developed under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism. They will also launch “MICE Roadshow Meet in India” Brand and Roadmap for the Promotion of India as MICE Destination in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh tomorrow. Smt. Usha Thakur, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Madhya Pradesh will grace the occasion with other dignitaries and officials of Government of India and State Government of Madhya Pradesh. The event will also have Keynote sessions and Panel discussions on Responsible Tourism, Iconic Destination, India as a MICE Destination, etc. by senior Government officials and industry experts.
In order to promote India as MICE Destination , Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in association with Madhya Pradesh Tourism and India Convention Promotion Bureau are organizing this ‘MICE Roadshow – Meet in India’ at the heart of Incredible India from 25-27 March 2021 at Chhatrasal Convention Centre, Khajuraho. This event will be an effort under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, realizing India’s MICE potential. The roadshow will be an opportunity to focus on the Government’s initiatives in developing India as a MICE destination with infrastructure and an eco-system pan-India that will favourably place India amongst the global competitors.
On this occasion, the Ministry of Tourism plans to launch its campaign “Meet in India” from Khajuraho, which is one of the identified iconic tourist destinations of the country. Recognizing India’s huge potential as a MICE destination, ‘Meet in India’ will be the distinct sub-brand under ‘Incredible India’ to promote the country as a MICE destination.
The event will also deliberate the draft Master Plan being prepared by the Ministry of Tourism to develop Khajuraho as an Iconic Destination. A number of hard and soft interventions are proposed to develop Khajuraho. The event will provide a tremendous boost to Khajuraho as an iconic tourist destination particularly the MICE potential of Khajuraho and show the way for other cities to consider. The Ministry of Tourism has framed ‘Development of Iconic Tourist Destinations Scheme’ a Central Sector Scheme for development of nineteen identified iconic destinations in the country following a holistic approach. The identified tourist sites to be developed as iconic destinations under the scheme are Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri , Ajanta Caves & Ellora Caves, Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort & QutubMinar , Colva Beach , Amer Fort , Somnath , Dholavira & Statue of Unity, Khajuraho , Hampi, Mahabalipuram , Kaziranga , Kumarakom , Konark and Mahabodhi Temple .
The programme at Khajuraho will also see several side events including cultural and fitness activities like yoga, cycle tour, heritage walk, tree planting among others.
President's Secretariat
President of India Attends Farewell Function at Central Hall of the Parliament
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended the farewell function at Central Hall of the Parliament today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that for 37 years he served as a Member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Listening to the stalwarts for hours and days in Parliament sitting in the Treasury or Opposition Benches, he felt one with the soul of this living institution. He understood the real value of debate, discussion and dissent. He realized how disruption hurts the opposition more than the government as it denies them the opportunity to raise the concerns of the people. It was unfortunate that the parliamentary time devoted to legislation has been declining. With the heightened complexity of administration, legislation must be preceded by scrutiny and adequate discussion. Scrutiny in committees is no substitute to open discussion on the floor of the House. When the Parliament fails to discharge its law-making role or enacts laws without discussion, it breaches the trust reposed in it by the people of this great country. He stated that the recent passage of Goods and Services Tax and its launch on 1st July is a shining example of co-operative federalism and speaks volumes for the maturity of Indian Parliament.
The President said that it was in July 2012 that his membership in Lok Sabha came to an end when he was declared as the 13th President of the Republic. Even though thirty-seven years of his life in Parliament came to an end on that day but he still continued to have a tenacious link with this institution, in fact he became an integral part of it, as President of Republic, as per the Constitution. In these five years, his principal responsibility was to function as the guardian of the Constitution. As he had said on oath, he strived to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution, not just in word but also in spirit. In this task, he greatly benefitted from the advice and co-operation extended by Prime Minister Modi at every step. With passion and energy, he is driving transformational changes in the country. He would carry with him fond memories of their association and his warm and courteous behaviour.
The President said that as he retired from the Office of the President of the Republic, his association with the Parliament also comes to an end. He will no longer be a part of the Parliament of India. He stated he was leaving with a sense of fulfilment and happiness of having served the people of this great country through this institution- as their humble servant.
Ministry of Mines
Centre announces notification of 3 Quality Control Orders for 7 non-ferrous refined metal items
Ministry of Mines focuses on BIS compulsory certification by notifying QCOs for Aluminium, Copper and Nickel metals – aims to ensure user benefit and industry competitiveness through a quality control eco-system
Move to help curb import of sub-standard products, prevent unfair trade practices, and ensure supply of quality products to the consumers
Ministry of Mines has notified three Quality Control Orders  for seven items on August 31, 2023, following the due process of notification of Technical Regulations. These QCOs will come into effect three months from the date of notification. These QCOs mark the first technical regulations from Ministry of Mines under the BIS Act.
The QCO for Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys mandates compulsory certification under the appropriate Indian Standards  for the domestic production and import of aluminium and aluminium alloy ; high purity primary aluminium ingot; aluminium alloy ingots for bearings; primary aluminium ingots for remelting; and aluminium ingots, billets and wire bars . The remaining two QCOs provide appropriate IS standards for copper and for nickel powder.
The three QCOs have been notified after an elaborate process comprising consultations with the Bureau of Indian Standards  and with relevant industry associations and stakeholders, including hosting of the draft QCOs on the website of the World Trade Organization  for a 60-day period for inviting comments from member countries, and on the website of the Ministry for comments from stakeholders within the 60-day period, followed by finalization of the QCOs after their approval by the Union Minister of Mines and vetting by the Legislative Department.
The Ministry of Mines is laying emphasis on strengthening the quality control eco-system for non-ferrous metals sector in the country. For that, the Ministry is in constant consultation with BIS for preparation of more QCOs on upstream products  in the non-ferrous metal value chain.
The development of mandatory QCOs help curb the import of sub-standard products, prevent unfair trade practices, and ensure supply of quality products to the domestic consumers including industrial users. The notified QCOs will ensure the standard and quality of aluminium metal and alloys, copper and nickel to the benefit of the user industry. At the same time, the QCOs will ensure Indian product quality in these items akin to global standards, and enhance the brand value of ‘Make in India’ in the international market.
The QCO notifications are among the many initiatives of the Ministry of Mines that are aimed at realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
“HariyaliMahotsav” to be organized by Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
Plantation activities to be undertaken at 75 Nagar Vans across the country
Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change will be organizing “Hariyali Mahotsav” on 8th July, 2022 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi in the spirit of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”.
Hariyali Mahotsav, the “Tree Festival” is being organized to create awareness about the importance of trees in sustaining not only the life of the present generations but also to secure the future of forthcoming generations. Trees play extremely important role in mitigating adverse effects of climate change. This Mahotsav is perceived as an effective tool to instill enthusiasm among masses for forest conservation and planting trees. It holds immense importance in complementing the policy and program initiatives of the government towards environmental conservation. Hariyali Mahotsav is celebrated across the country in recognition of the crucial role of Forest/Greenery in maintaining the ecological balance and providing many ecosystem services to the planet.
Hariyali Mahotsav 2022 is being organized by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with the State Governments, Police Institutions and Schools of Delhi for undertaking plantation drives on the occasion. Ceremonial Plantation drives are being organized with participation of 75 Nagar Vans throughout the country, 75 Police Stations and 75 Schools in Delhi/NCR and 75 degraded plantation sites in the different states as part of this Mahotsav.
The event would be graced by Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Labour & Employment, Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Lieutenant Governor, GNCTD, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena.
The highlight of the event includes a concert by Ricky Kej.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Mansukh Mandaviya reviews the preparedness of hospitals of Major Ports for COVID Care Management
422 isolations beds, 305 oxygen supported beds are in operation at the Port Hospitals
Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a review meeting for taking stock of the preparedness of Port hospitals in the wake of the second wave of CoVID-19. Chairpersons of all the Major Ports apprised the status of hospitals for the dedicated COVID care management in the meeting.
Currently, 12Major Ports are operating 9 hospitals dedicatedly for COVID care across the country.Visakhapatnam Port Trust, Kolkata Port Trust, Mumbai Port Trust, Mormugao Port Trust, Chennai Port Trust, Mumbai Port Trust, JN Port Trust, Deendayal Port Trust  are operating these hospitals, with total capacity of 422 isolations beds, 305 oxygen supported beds, 28 ICU beds and ventilators to provide care to COVID-19 patients.
Minister directed all Chairpersons of Major Ports to ramp up their capacity and facilities by utilizing CSR funds and make them operational as fast as possible in the coming days. Minister also reiterated the Chairpersons to personally monitor the Medical Oxygen related cargo for swift and efficient handling of it at all Major Ports.
In his concluding remarks, Shri Mandaviya said, “India is currently facing the unprecedented situation and we should pull our socks up to contribute immensely by utilizing and ramping up our Port Hospital capacity. We will leave no stone unturned to fight back this pandemic with continuous and united efforts of all Major Ports.”
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the President of the European Commission, H.E. Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, on 27 June 2022 on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit in Schloss Elmau, Germany.
Prime Minister recalled President Von Der Leyen’s productive visit to Delhi in April 2022 during the Raisina Dialogue. The leaders expressed happiness on the resumption of negotiations on the Trade, Investment and GI Agreements between India and EU. They reviewed India-EU engagements in various sectors, including digital cooperation, climate action and technology & innovation.
Both leaders also exchanged views on contemporary global and regional developments.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
CIC to begin hearing RTI cases from UTs of J&K and Ladakh from tomorrow
Online hearing of cases will lead to “Justice from Home” concept: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that the Central Information Commission  would start hearing Right to Information  Act applications of applicants from the UTs of J&K and Ladakh from tomorrow . This was disclosed by Dr. Singh after meeting the Chief Information Commissioner Shri Bimal Julka, who called on the Union Minister here. The Minister said that applicants from J&K and Ladakh can file RTI applications from home and no one has to travel outside even for appeals to the CIC. This will usher in a new culture of “Justice from Home”, said Dr Jitendra Singh.
Applicants from both the UTs can file first appeal before the Officers designated by them and can avail the facility of hearing from home for 2nd appeal before the CIC. Moreover, the applicants can file RTI anytime through the online mechanism.
The Minister also informed that any citizen of India can now file RTI pertaining to matters related to J&K and Ladakh, which was reserved to only Citizens of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, before the Reorganisation Act of 2019.
It is pertinent to mention here that consequent to the passing of J&K Reorganisation Act 2019, the J&K Right to Information Act 2009 and the Rules there under were repealed and Right to Information Act 2005 and the Rules there under were enforced from 31.10.2019. Dr. Singh stated that concerted efforts for smooth transition from the J&K RTI Act 2009 to the Central RTI Act were taken by the offices of Ministry of Home Affairs, DoPT and Central Information Commission. The Minister informed that till 10th May, 2020, 111 second appeals/complaints  from the UT of J&K have been registered in the CIC consequent to the Reorganisation Act,2019.
Training for CPIOs and FAAs is being planned and registration/alignment of Public Authorities of Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh on RTI online portal of DoPT is also being taken up with DoPT.
At present, all information commissioners are hearing cases and CIC headquarters are functioning with 33% official staff. Senior Information Commissioners are hearing cases from the office over video conferencing.
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